Thanks to BikeBiz.com and Carlton Reid for this story (BTW: there’s a good story about the gutter riding case on BikeBiz too).
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World-famous clothing designer Paul Smith has paired with Mercian Cycles to produce £3000 bikes that will be available in Paul Smith shops. The design guru, who fell into fashion after a bike accident, has previously collaborated with Burton snowboards, designed a deckchair for the Royal Parks Foundation and his jeans company has designed the official strip for the Twentyfour 12 Bontrager Enduro 2006.
But now Paul Smith has teamed up with Mercian Cycles of Derby to produce two £3000 machines that will be available in Paul Smith shops. Available from September, there’s a track bike with a flip-flop hub, and a touring bike. There’s a range of distinctive paint-jobs and the Paul Smith signature is on the bike’s downtubes along with the Mercian graphic.
Smith was a one-time Nottingham racing cyclist, hoping for a possible job as a pro when an accident aged 17 forced him to take a different career path. He became a fashion designer and his suits, shirts and ties have been worn by the rich and famous. There are Paul Smith retail stores all over the world. The first one opened in 1970.
Before his accident, his bike of choice was a Mercian. He still has it.
“Working with Mercian has been amazing,” said Smith. “Mercian is one of the last bespoke bike makers in Britain. The bikes are all hand made and this is such a joy to witness in this world of mass production.”
The Paul Smith for Mercian Tour Bike – £2800 – is made from Reynbolds 631 and has leather bar-tape, toe-clip straps, saddle-bag and saddle by Brooks. The Paul Smith for Mercian Track Bike also features a 631 frame, a Brooks finishing kit but has a Phil Wood flip-flop rear hub.
